5 figure skating movies and shows that actually get the sport right — and where to watch them

Margot Robbie in I, Tonya — (Image credit: Neon)

Figure skating is a whole lot more cutthroat than the rhinestones suggest. That shouldn’t be surprising for a sport that requires participants to strap knives to their feet and spin through the air at high speeds. While the general public usually only tunes in during the Winter Olympics, the grind typically starts before most skaters hit double digits. These athletes only have a handful of performances a year to dictate their standings, showcase new programs, and prove they belong on the ice.

This high-stakes environment creates a unique subculture, one where the costumes are delicate, but the athletes are made of steel. It is a world built on precise geometry and raw emotion, making it the perfect breeding ground for cinematic drama.

With that kind of pressure, rivalries are inevitable, but so are romances, lifelong friendships and complex coaching bonds. Given those rich layers, it’s a wonder there aren’t more figure skating stories on screen. But the ones we do have? They’re pure glitter and gold.

'The Cutting Edge'

THE CUTTING EDGE (1992) | Official Trailer | MGM - YouTube

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Hollywood loves to play Cupid with grumpy hockey players and figure skaters. In the 1992 classic "The Cutting Edge," Olympic ice dancer Kate Moseley (Moira Kelly) pairs up with reluctant former hockey pro Doug Dorsey (D.B. Sweeney). It’s a classic "enemies-to-lovers" scenario that whips Doug into Olympic shape far too quickly, but as someone who learned to skate on hockey skates, I’m obsessed with his trainwreck attempt to use a toe pick for the first time. Same, dude.

The film was so beloved that it spawned three sequels, including one that gender-bends the premise with a female hockey player. However, I’m still waiting for a queer "enemies-to-lovers" team-up on the ice. Now that titles like "Heated Rivalry" have broken the ice in fiction, maybe a movie version is finally on the horizon.

Watch on MGM+

'I, Tonya'

I, Tonya Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Trailers - YouTube

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When someone hears the name Tonya Harding, the response is usually: "Oh, didn’t she take out Nancy Kerrigan?" Actually, no. The biopic "I, Tonya" takes a mockumentary approach with Margot Robbie in the hot seat to show how Harding’s legacy was reduced to a media witch hunt. While Harding contends with maternal and spousal abuse, we watch this viscerally talented athlete get ridiculed because she doesn’t act like the "fairy princess" the association demanded.

Over 20 years later, this film helps us see a story of abuse and classism. Whether Harding was involved in the 1994 assault remains a mystery, but the evidence never proved it. Knowing your husband committed a crime after the fact shouldn't warrant a lifetime ban, especially when the perpetrators served minimal jail time. I can’t get through the end without crying; I wonder what the industry would look like today if it hadn’t been robbed of her boundary-pushing talent.

Rent/buy on Prime Video or Apple TV

'Ice Castles' (1978)

The "kiss and cry" of death for skating movies is casting actors who can't skate. Ice Castles avoided this pitfall by casting Ice Capades performer Lynn-Holly Johnson as the lead, Lexi. Because she can actually move, the film is filled with genuine, beautiful sequences rather than relying on tight close-ups and quick cuts to the crowd to hide a lack of footwork.

The story follows Lexi’s rise from a small-town girl to a national favorite until a freak accident leaves her blind. Her hockey-player boyfriend (Robby Benson) encourages her to keep competing despite the tragedy. It’s wholesome, technically sound, and far superior to the 2010 remake. The OG gets the gold every time.

Rent/buy on Prime Video or Apple TV

'Yuri!!! on Ice'

Yuri!!! on ICE - Official Trailer - YouTube

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"Yuri!!! on Ice" is the best skating show you’ve probably never heard of. While projects like "Spinning Out" or "Finding Her Edge" struggled with problematic depictions or cringe love triangles, this anime nails the technical components. In fact, it’s so accurate that Japanese Olympians even used the theme song for their 2018 Olympic program. Animation allows for perfect triple Lutzes without needing a dozen stunt doubles.

The story follows Yuri Katsuki, who is ready to retire until his idol, Victor Nikiforov, becomes his coach. What develops is a rich, groundbreaking romantic relationship. This was vital representation, debuting years before Adam Rippon became the first "out" gay figure skater to compete in the Olympics.

Watch on Hulu

'Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing'

Glitter & Gold | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

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It’s easy to watch a pair nail a twist lift and forget the sheer athleticism involved. For ice dancers, partnership is everything — you have to trust someone enough to throw you into the air while you're both wearing knives. There’s a surprising lack of skating documentaries, but Netflix’s "Glitter & Gold" wins a medal for capturing the unique difficulties, romances, and brutal physical toll of the sport.

Focusing on elite pairs like Madison Chock & Evan Bates, the series illustrates exactly what these athletes sacrifice to reach the 2026 Olympics. You’ll also see commentary from legends like Adam Rippon and Tara Lipinski. If you want to see the real moving pieces that land teams on the podium, this is it.

Watch on Netflix

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Xandra is an entertainment journalist with clips in outlets like Salon, Insider, The Daily Dot, and Regal. In her 6+ years of writing, she's covered red carpets, premieres, and events like New York Comic Con. Xandra has conducted around 200 interviews with celebrities like Henry Cavill, Sylvester Stallone, and Adam Driver. She received her B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Randolph College, where she chilled with the campus ghosts and read Edgar Allan Poe at 3 am.

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